SPECIAL INSPECTIONS

An introduction to NYC special inspections

Special Inspections in NYC

The New York City Department of Buildings requires Special Inspections in NYC to be conducted for all construction projects as of the 2008 NYC Building Code. Special Inspections are conducted to ensure construction work is completed in accordance with all applicable building codes, and NYC Department of Building approved plans and specifications. Special Inspections must be conducted by an NYC DOB registered Special Inspection Agency – no other sign-offs will be valid after May 13, 2013. A TR-1 sign-off requiring Special Inspections cannot be processed without a Special Inspections Agency

What is the IAS?

Alan Margolin & Associates is an accredited Class 1 Special Inspections agency by the International Accreditation Service, known as the IAS. A subsidiary of the International Code Council, IAS provides objective evidence that an organization operates at the highest level of ethical, legal and technical standards. Worldwide demand for reliable, safe products and services makes accreditation a necessity. Since 1975, IAS has been setting the standards for accreditation by providing rigorous criteria for compliance and continued oversight of its accredited agencies. We are one of the first agencies in the NYC metro area permitted to perform Special Inspections.

Service

Our office staff is always available to answer inquiries about new or ongoing projects, and our operations team will work with your project team to make sure construction stays on schedule.

Convenience

Being located in midtown Manhattan (atop Grand Central Station), clients and expeditors greatly appreciate how quickly we can process and return the constant flow of forms that are required for every NYC building project.

Registered NYC Class 1, 2, and 3 Special Inspection Agencies

Class 1.

An agency registered as a Class 1 special inspection agency for a special inspection category will be permitted to perform the work associated with such special inspection category on any project. Accreditation is required for this class.

Class 2.

An agency registered as a Class 2 special inspection agency for a special inspection category will be permitted to perform the work associated with such special inspection category on any project, except those involving:

The construction of a new major building;

The full demolition of a major building;

The alteration of a major building including:

The removal of an entire story or more;

The partial demolition of twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or more of gross floor area; or

The partial demolition of twenty (20) percent or more of the gross floor area.

The enlargement of a major building by more than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area.

Major building defined in 2014 NYC BC Chapter 33, Section 3302:

An existing or proposed building 10 or more stories or 125 feet or more in height, or an existing or proposed building with a building footprint of 100,000 square feet or more regardless of height, or an existing or proposed building so designated by the commissioner due to unique hazards associated with the construction or demolition of the structure.

Class 3.

An agency registered as a Class 3 special inspection agency for a special inspection category will be permitted to perform the work associated with this category on the following projects only:

The construction, demolition, or alteration of a one-, two-, or three-family dwelling; or

The alteration of any building, including partial demolition, of less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet of gross floor area in total.

Exception: The special inspection categories of underpinning, mechanical means and methods of demolition, and the protection of the sides of excavations greater than ten (10) feet in depth must be performed only by special inspection agencies registered as either class 1 or class 2 special inspection agencies for such categories.